Weekly Outlook - PC(USA) faces backlash over mission co-worker layoffs

Dear readers, I've been thinking a lot about broccoli and ferns recently — the way their shapes are the same, repeating all the way down from macro to micro. In her book Emergent Strategies, adrienne maree brown argues that all life is interconnected. In other words, humans have a lot to learn from broccoli and ferns.  Speaking to Krista Tippett on "On Being," brown builds upon this logic, sharing how she worked hard to change who was in the White House in the early 2000s only to realize that change at the largest level doesn't make a difference if there is no change in the daily lives of Americans. She learned this lesson from fractals, the mathematical concept that explains why there are repeating patterns in the natural world. (Think: broccoli and ferns. Think how trees mirror river deltas mirror our respiratory system. Or how our fingerprints match the shape of spiral galaxies.) As she learned about fractals, it became clear to brown that "small is all." Everything is connected, and if you want to change the larger story being practiced and preached, you have to start small — with the local and the mundane. Instead of thinking about the highest level of government, brown began to ask her colleagues: "How do you practice democracy at home?" I'm finding a lot of comfort in brown's reasoning. In a world that feels chaotic and out of my control, focusing on the choices I do have allows me to see God at work. I find myself tweaking brown's question to ask, "How do I practice justice at home? How do I practice resurrection hope? How do I practice mercy?" If I focus on living into my God-given identity in my small environment, I choose to believe that good will come from it, and maybe a small ripple will grow into a wave. I choose to listen to stories from people like Maggie Alsup, a college chaplain who believes in the power of a positive sticker, and hear that there are other people out there making small choices for larger ends.  Hold onto hope, friends. It's alive if we look for it.   Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor P.S. Have you ever wondered about the story behind the "He gets us" Superbowl commercials? Us, too. So we asked journalist Patrice Gaines to write an article on it.  P.S.S. In honor of Kendrick Lamar's recent Grammy wins and upcoming Superbowl halftime show, it's a good time to revisit Chris Burton's "Kendrick vs. Drake and the parallels with Christian integrity."  This article will explain why everyone is talking about Drake, too!

PC(USA) faces backlash over mission co-worker layoffs by Eric Ledermann Marketing Jesus: Prayer apps, TV ads, and faith in the digital age by Patrice Gaines, Outlook reporting Water and ashes: Baptism, wildfires, and the call to mercy by Christine Chakoian The theology of a sticker: love, belonging, and the space we create by Maggie Alsup In case you missed it... The Wounds Are the Witness: Black Faith Weaving Memory into Justice and Healing Yolanda Pierce’s "The Wounds Are the Witness" explores Black faith, memory, and justice, urging us to reclaim our wounds as a path to healing and action. — Nannette Dixon Seven Ways of Looking at the Transfiguration Struggling with Transfiguration Sunday? Sarah Hinlicky Wilson offers seven fresh angles on this mysterious event, weaving theology, exegesis, and preaching insight. David Lynch, divine wisdom, and finding beauty in a chaotic world Brendan McLean reflects on David Lynch’s surreal art, biblical wisdom and divine mystery. With federal funds stopped, local faith groups plan to redouble private efforts to settle refugees Moving forward, experts say, private donations and volunteers from local faith groups will be more crucial than ever. — Kathryn Post and Fiona André Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know From a misattribution of the story about the boy Jesus in the temple to the gospel of Matthew to his handling of Paul, (Mark) Lilla seems more interested in pique than in substance. — Rev. Dr. Rocky Supinger For DC airport chaplain, disaster training becomes reality Airport chaplain Nace Lanier, among the first to respond to the midair collision near Washington's airport, joined a team 'to holistically care for the hurting and confused.' — Adelle M. Banks Fresh Outlook Bible Studies: “Friendship” Did you know loneliness is America’s most significant health problem, according to Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy in 2022? Explore biblical wisdom and practical steps to cultivate meaningful friendships with this “Friendship” Bible study by Katy Shevel.

Pre-order today! How do we hold space for grief while clinging to hope? Grieving Change and Loss, a daily Lenten devotional from Presbyterian Outlook, embraces the complexity of loss in its many forms — from lost health to fractured friendships — and invites you to encounter the resurrection promise anew. Explore grief’s six stages each week with reflections, Scripture, and prayer.